Foldable exerciser

ABSTRACT

A foldable exerciser includes an elongated main frame, a prop member disposed to prop the main frame in a straddle position, a saddle mounting frame pivotally connected to the main frame and having a saddle mounting segment extending rearwardly, an operating unit pivotally connected to a top end of the main frame and having opposite force and weight ends, a coupler interconnecting the saddle mounting frame and the weight end such that rearward pivoting movement of the force end toward the saddle mounting segment in the straddle position can result in movement of the saddle mounting segment forward for simulating a horse-riding action, a bracing unit including lower and upper shanks telescopically fitted to each other, and a damper member disposed to bias the upper shank away from the lower shank so as to counteract an impact generated as a result of plunging of the saddle mounting segment toward the upper shank.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Patent Application No. 095112452, filed on Apr. 7, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a foldable exerciser, more particularly to a foldable exerciser which can simulate a horse-riding action and which is adjustable to provide a satisfactory feeling of comfort when in use.

2. Description of the Related Art

In co-pending U.S patent application Ser. Nos. 11/152,159 and 11/328,412, the applicant disclosed a foldable exerciser which can simulate a horse-riding action and which can be treaded by a user for performing cycling exercise. In addition, the foldable exerciser can be folded after use. However, it is desirable to have an exerciser that provides a feeling of comfort when in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a foldable exerciser which is adjustable to provide a satisfactory feeling of comfort when in use.

According to this invention, the foldable exerciser includes an elongated main frame having top and bottom ends, and a middle portion interposed therebetween. A prop member has a rest end adapted to sit on a ground surface, and a propping end connected to the middle portion to prop the main frame in a straddle position. A saddle mounting frame includes a front pivot end pivotally connected to the middle portion, an arm segment extending radially from the front pivot end to terminate at a juncture, and a saddle mounting segment extending rearwardly from the juncture such that the juncture is turnable between proximate and distal positions relative to the top end. A saddle is mounted on the saddle mounting segment. An operating unit includes a fulcrum pivotally connected to the top end, and a force end and a weight end at two sides of the fulcrum. A coupler interconnects the juncture and the weight end such that in the straddle position, rearward pivoting movement of the force end toward the saddle mounting segment results in turning of the juncture from the distal position to the proximate position so as to move the saddle mounting segment forward for simulating a horse-riding action. A bracing unit includes lower and upper shanks and a damper member. The lower shank has a lower shank end coupled to the main frame proximate to the bottom end. The upper shank has an upper shank end distal from the lower shank end so as to brace the saddle mounting segment when the saddle mounting segment is in the distal position, and is telescopically fitted to the lower shank such that the upper shank end is movable relative to the lower shank along a lengthwise axis thereof. The damper member is disposed to bias the upper shank end away from the lower shank end such that when the saddle mounting segment is moved forward to simulate the horse-riding action, an impact generated as a result of plunging of the saddle mounting segment toward the upper shank end is counteracted by the biasing force.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a foldable exerciser according to this invention in a straddle state;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment in the straddle state;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a rear part of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the rear part of the preferred embodiment taken from another angle;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a middle part of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a front part of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment in a horse-riding simulating state; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment in a folded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of a foldable exerciser according to the present invention is shown to comprise an elongated main frame 1, a prop member 53, a saddle unit 3, an operating unit 4, a coupler 43, a bracing unit 2, and a pedaling unit 5.

The main frame 1 has top and bottom ends 15, 11 opposite to each other, and a middle portion 12 interposed therebetween. Two mounting lugs 13, 14 are disposed on the middle portion 12 and proximate to the top and bottom ends 15, 11, respectively.

The prop member 53 has a rest end 532 which is disposed to sit on a ground surface, and a propping end 531 which is pivotally connected to the middle portion 12 such that the rest end 532 is pivotable between a straddle position, where the rest end 532 is remote from the bottom end 11, and a folded position, where the rest end 532 is closer to the bottom end 11. In the straddle position, as shown in FIG. 2, the bottom and rest ends 11, 532 are disposed to sit on a ground surface while the top end 15 is disposed upwardly and forwardly of the bottom end 11.

The saddle unit 3 includes a saddle mounting frame 31 and a saddle 32. The saddle mounting frame 31 includes a front pivot end 3l1 which is pivotally connected to the middle portion 12 about a first axis and between the top and propping ends 15, 531, an arm segment 312 which extends from the front pivot end 311 in a radial direction relative to the first axis to terminate at a juncture 313, and a saddle mounting segment 314 which extends rearwardly from the juncture 313 such that the juncture 313 is turnable about the first axis between proximate and distal positions relative to the top end 15. The saddle 32 is mounted on the saddle mounting segment 314.

The operating unit 4 includes an operating rod 41 which has a fulcrum 411 pivotally connected to the top end 15 about a second axis parallel to the first axis, a force end 412 and a weight end 413 at two sides of the fulcrum 411, and two handlebars 42 which are mounted on two opposite sides of the force end 412.

With reference to FIG. 5, the coupler 43 includes first and second tubular pieces 431, 432 which respectively have first and second connected ends 437, 438 that are telescopically fitted to each other, and first and second coupled ends 435, 436. The first coupled end 435 is pivotally connected to the juncture 313. The second coupled end 436 is disposed to anchor an anchored protrusion 414 on the weight end 413. Thus, in the straddle position, rearward pivoting movement of the force end 412 about the second axis toward the saddle mounting segment 314 results in turning of the juncture 313 from the distal position to the proximate position so as to move the saddle mounting segment 314 forward for simulating a horse-riding action.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the bracing unit 2 includes a tubular lower shank 21, a tubular upper shank 24, and a damper member 26. The lower shank 21 has a lower shank end 211 which is pivotally connected to the middle portion 12 in the vicinity of the bottom end 11. The lower shank 21 has an inner tubular wall surface 214 which surrounds a lengthwise axis thereof, and an outer tubular wall surface 215 opposite to the inner tubular wall surface 214 in radial directions relative to the lengthwise axis. The upper shank 24 is telescopically fitted into the lower shank 21, and has an outer surrounding wall surface 242 which is disposed inwardly of and which is slidable along the inner tubular wall surface 214 such that an upper shank end 241 distal from the lower shank end 211 is movable relative to the lower shank 21 along the lengthwise axis so as to brace the saddle mounting segment 314 when the saddle mounting segment 314 is in the distal position. A mount 23 is mounted on the inner tubular wall surface 214 and downwardly of the upper shank 24, and is slidable along the inner tubular wall surface 214. A plunger rod 25 is disposed to extend along the lengthwise axis to terminate at upper and lower heads that connect the upper shank 24 and the mount 23 respectively and loosely. The damper member 26 is a coil spring 26 which is disposed between the upper shank 24 and the mount 23 and which surrounds the plunger rod 25 so as to bias the upper shank end 241 away from the lower shank end 211 such that during the horse-riding action, an impact generated as a result of plunging of the saddle mounting segment 314 toward the upper shank end 241 is counteracted by a biasing force of the coil spring 26. Moreover, the extent of the biasing action of the coil spring 26 can be restricted by the length of the plunger rod 25.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the mount 23 has a plurality of adjustment holes 231 displaced from each other along the lengthwise axis. The outer tubular wall surface 215 of the lower shank 21 has a through hole 212 which extends through the inner tubular wall surface 214 to align with a selected one of the adjustment holes 231. A first locking unit 27 includes a first nut member 271 which has a first tapped hole 2711 and which is disposed on the outer tubular wall surface 215 so as to register the first tapped hole 2711 with the through hole 212, and a first locking bolt which has a first threaded segment 273 that threadedly engages the first tapped hole 2711, and a first latch segment 272 that extends from the first threaded segment 273. By virtue of screw movement of the first threaded segment 273 in the first tapped hole 2711, the first latch segment 272 is movable between a locking position, where the first latch segment 272 is inserted into a selected one of the adjustment holes 231, and an unlocking position, where the first latch segment 272 is disengaged from the selected one of the adjustment holes 231 so as to permit movement of the mount 23 along the lengthwise axis. Thus, the rigidity of the coil spring 26 is adjustable to meet the user's requirement.

Furthermore, the upper shank end 241 is pivotable between a holding position, as shown in FIG. 2, where the upper shank end 241 braces the saddle mounting segment 314, and a collapsed position, as shown in FIG. 8, where the upper shank end 241 is placed closer to the front pivot end 311. Referring to FIG. 3, a second locking unit includes an insert hole 213 which is formed through the lower shank 21, a second nut member 221 which has a second tapped hole 2211 and which is mounted on the mounting lug 14 so as to register the second tapped hole 2211 with the insert hole 213 when the upper shank end 241 is in the holding position, and a second locking bolt 22 which has a second threaded segment 223 that threadedly engages the second tapped hole 2211, and a second latch segment 222 that extends from the second threaded segment 223. By virtue of screw movement of the second threaded segment 223 in the second tapped hole 2211, the second latch segment 222 is movable to be inserted into the insert hole 213 to thereby retain the upper shank end 241 in the holding position, and is movable to disengage from the insert hole 213 to thereby permit pivoting movement of the upper shank end 241.

With reference to FIG. 5, the second connected end 438 has a plurality of adjustment holes 434 displaced from each other along a lengthwise axis thereof. The second connected end 438 has a through hole 433 which extends therethrough to be communicated with a selected one of the adjustment holes 434, and a third nut member 441 which has a third tapped hole 4411 that is registered with the through hole 433. A third locking bolt 44 has a third threaded segment 443 which threadedly engages the third tapped hole 4411, and a third latch segment 442 which extends from the third threaded segment 443 such that by virtue of screw movement of the third threaded segment 443 in the third tapped hole 4411, the third latch segment 442 is movable to be inserted into a selected one of the adjustment holes 434, or to disengage from the selected one of the adjustment holes 434 so as to permit movement of the second tubular piece 432 along the lengthwise axis. Thus, the distance between the first and second coupled ends 435, 436 is adjustable.

Moreover, the second coupled end 436 is detachably coupled to the weight end 413 such that the second coupled end 436 is turnable relative to the juncture 313 between an engaging position, as shown in FIG. 5, where the second coupled end 436 is retained with the weight end 413 to thereby result in the rearward pivoting movement of the force end 412, and a disengaging position, as shown in FIG. 8, where the second coupled end 436 is disengaged from the weight end 413.

The pedaling unit 5 is mounted on the prop member 53, and includes a pair of cranks 56 journalled on the prop member 53, a pair of pedals 52 connected respectively to two opposite ends of the cranks 56 for treading by a user, and a resistance mechanism 51 disposed to deliver a resistance force to the cranks 56. In addition, with reference to FIG. 6, an annular sleeve 54 is attached to the prop member 53 and is aligned with the mounting lug 13. A fastening unit 55 includes a fourth nut member 551 affixed to the mounting lug 13, and a fourth locking bolt having a fourth threaded segment 553 that threadedly engages the fourth nut member 551, and a fourth latch segment 552 that extends from the fourth threaded segment 553 so as to be inserted into the annular sleeve 54 by virtue of screw movement of the fourth threaded segment 553, thereby fastening the prop member 53 in the straddle position.

In use, referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the user can sit on the saddle 32 and grip the handlebars 42 while treading the pedals 52 for performing cycling exercise. The user may also pull the handlebars 42 rearwardly so that the saddle 32 is raised and turned toward the handlebars 42 to simulate a horse-riding action. It is noted that when the saddle mounting segment 314 is pressed to plunge to the upper shank end 241, the impact therebetween is counteracted by the biasing force of the coil spring 26, thereby providing a damping effect. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, to meet the user's requirement, the first locking unit 27 can be released to permit adjustment of the position of the mount 23 so as to vary the height of the upper shank end 241 and the saddle mounting segment 314. As shown in FIG. 5, the third locking bolt 44 can also be released to permit adjustment of the second connected end 438 relative to the first connected end 437 so as to vary the distance between the handlebars 42 and the saddle 32 to accommodate different users.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 8, to fold the exerciser, the second locking bolt 22 and the fastening unit 55 are released, and the second coupled end 436 is disengaged from the weight end 413 such that the bracing unit 2, the saddle unit 3, the operating unit 4, and the prop member 53, as well as the pedaling unit 5, can be turned and collapsed toward the main frame 1.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A foldable exerciser comprising: an elongated main frame having top and bottom ends opposite to each other, and a middle portion interposed therebetween; a prop member having a rest end which is adapted to sit on a ground surface, and a propping end which is connected to said middle portion to prop said main frame in a straddle position; a saddle mounting frame including a front pivot end which is pivotally connected to said middle portion about a first axis and between said top and propping ends, an arm segment which extends from said front pivot end in a radial direction relative to the first axis to terminate at a juncture, and a saddle mounting segment which extends rearwardly from said juncture such that said juncture is turnable about the first axis between proximate and distal positions relative to said top end; a saddle mounted on said saddle mounting segment; an operating unit including a fulcrum which is pivotally connected to said top end about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a force end and a weight end at two sides of said fulcrum; a coupler having a first coupled end which is coupled to said juncture, and a second coupled end which is coupled to said weight end such that in the straddle position, rearward pivoting movement of said force end about the second axis toward said saddle mounting segment results in turning of said juncture from the distal position to the proximate position so as to move said saddle mounting segment forward for simulating a horse-riding action; and a bracing unit including a lower shank which has a lower shank end coupled to said main frame proximate to said bottom end, an upper shank which has an upper shank end distal from said lower shank end so as to brace said saddle mounting segment when said saddle mounting segment is in the distal position, and which is telescopically fitted to said lower shank such that said upper shank end is movable relative to said lower shank along a lengthwise axis thereof, and a damper member with a biasing force, said damper member being disposed to bias said upper shank end away from said lower shank end such that when said saddle mounting segment is moved forward to simulate the horse-riding action, an impact generated as a result of plunging of said saddle mounting segment toward said upper shank end is counteracted by the biasing force.
 2. The foldable exerciser of claim 1, wherein said lower shank has an inner tubular wall surface which surrounds the lengthwise axis, and an outer tubular wall surface opposite to said inner tubular wall surface in radial directions relative to the lengthwise axis, said upper shank having an outer surrounding wall surface which is disposed inwardly of and which is slidable along said inner tubular wall surface.
 3. The foldable exerciser of claim 2, further comprising a mount which is mounted on said inner tubular wall surface and downwardly of said upper shank, said damper member being a coil spring which is disposed between said upper shank and said mount so as to bias said upper shank away from said mount.
 4. The foldable exerciser of claim 3, wherein said mount is disposed to slidably engage said inner tubular wall surface along the lengthwise axis, and has a plurality of adjustment holes displaced from each other along the lengthwise axis, said outer tubular wall surface of said lower shank having a through hole which extends through said inner tubular wall surface to be aligned with a selected one of said adjustment holes, said foldable exerciser further comprising a first locking unit which includes a first nut member that has a first tapped hole and that is disposed on said outer tubular wall surface so as to register said first tapped hole with said through hole, and a first locking bolt which has a first threaded segment that threadedly engages said first tapped hole, and a first latch segment disposed to extend from said first threaded segment such that, by virtue of screw movement of said first threaded segment in said first tapped hole, said first latch segment is movable between a locking position, where said first latch segment is inserted into a selected one of said adjustment holes, and an unlocking position, where said first latch segment is disengaged from the selected one of said adjustment holes so as to permit movement of said mount along the lengthwise axis.
 5. The foldable exerciser of claim 3, further comprising a plunger rod which extends along the lengthwise axis to terminate at upper and lower heads that connect said upper shank and said mount respectively and loosely such that extent of the biasing action of said coil spring is restricted by the length of said plunger rod.
 6. The foldable exerciser of claim 1, wherein said lower shank end of said lower shank is pivotally connected to said main frame such that said upper shank end is pivotable between a holding position where said upper shank end braces said saddle mounting segment, and a collapsed position where said upper shank end is placed close to said front pivot end, said foldable exerciser further comprising a second locking unit disposed to releasably retain said upper shank end in the holding position.
 7. The foldable exerciser of claim 6, wherein said second locking unit includes an insert hole which is formed in said lower shank, a second nut member which has a second tapped hole and which is mounted on said main frame proximate to said bottom end so as to register said second tapped hole with said insert hole when said upper shank end is in the holding position, and a second locking bolt which has a second threaded segment that threadedly engages said second tapped hole, and a second latch segment that extends from said second threaded segment such that by virtue of screw movement of said second threaded segment in said second tapped hole, said second latch segment is movable to be inserted into said insert hole to thereby retain said upper shank end in the holding position, and is movable to disengage from said insert hole to thereby permit pivoting movement of said upper shank end.
 8. The foldable exerciser of claim 1, wherein said coupler includes first and second tubular pieces which respectively have said first and second coupled ends, and first and second connected ends that are telescopically fitted to each other, one of said first and second connected ends having a plurality of adjustment holes displaced from each other along a lengthwise axis thereof, the other one of said first and second connected ends having a through hole which extends therethrough to be communicated with a selected one of said adjustment holes, and a third nut member which has a third tapped hole that is registered with said through hole, said foldable exerciser further comprising a third locking bolt which has a third threaded segment that threadedly engages said third tapped hole, and a third latch segment that extends from said third threaded segment such that by virtue of screw movement of said third threaded segment in said third tapped hole, said third latch segment is movable to be inserted into a selected one of said adjustment holes or to disengage from the selected one of said adjustment holes so as to permit movement of said second tubular piece along the lengthwise axis.
 9. The foldable exerciser of claim 8, wherein said second coupled end is detachably coupled to said weight end such that said second coupled end is turnable relative to said juncture between an engaging position, where said second coupled end is retained with said weight end to thereby result in the rearward pivoting movement of said force end, and a disengaging position, where said second coupled end is disengaged from said weight end.
 10. The foldable exerciser of claim 1, wherein said propping end is pivotally connected to said middle portion of said main frame such that said rest end is pivotable between the straddle position, where said rest end is remote from said bottom end, and a folded position, where said rest end is proximate to said bottom end, said foldable exerciser further comprising a fastening unit which is disposed to releasably fasten said rest end in the straddle position.
 11. The foldable exerciser of claim 1, further comprising a pedaling unit which is mounted on said prop member, and which includes a pair of cranks journalled on said prop member, a pair of pedals connected respectively to two opposite ends of said cranks, and a resistance mechanism disposed to deliver a resistance force to said cranks. 